Say Hello To Sawadee Thai

Cheap Eats

October 24, 2013|By LEEANNE GRIFFIN, Special to the Courant, The Hartford Courant

I have a tendency to turn to macaroni and cheese – the more cheeses, the better – as soon as fall rolls around and the temperature dips. But I'd almost forgotten that a Thai curry can be just as satisfying. Sawadee Thai Cuisine in South Windsor may just get me through another dreaded winter.

The vibe: Sawadee is in a small strip mall off Buckland Road, just a few minutes from the bustle of Evergreen Walk and the Buckland Hills mall shopping scenes. The restaurant's name translates to "Hello," and the atmosphere is aptly welcoming – friendly staff members usher you to a table in the beautifully decorated space while soft, relaxing flute music sets the scene.

Angel shrimp ($7), covered in wonton wrappers and fried until crisp, then served with tart plum sauce, were a tasty alternative to heavily battered or even tempura-fried items. Large and tender beef satay ($8) had a pleasing hint of spice, and we wished we'd asked for more of the excellent accompanying peanut sauce.

Stir-fried drunken noodle ($11.95) with sliced pork; wide, flat rice noodles and a colorful mix of vegetables had its trademark smokiness, and shrimp pad Thai ($14.95) hit all the right notes: sweet, spicy, salty and sour, with lots of crushed peanuts for texture.

For chilly nights, coconut-based curries in red, green, yellow, Massaman and Panang varieties provide a comforting thaw with a juxtaposition of sweet, creamy broth and complex spices. The sweet-hot Panang curry with chicken, Kaffir lime leaves, peas and string beans ($11.95) is soothing and exciting all at once, with its warmth and savory flavor.

The bill: Appetizers run $5 to $9; soups are $5 and $5.50; salads are $6.50 to $13.50; entrees are $11.95 to $18.95. On weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., lunch entrees with soup or salad, veggie spring roll and steamed white rice are $8.95 to $12.95, as are noodle and fried rice specials with soup or salad. Desserts, including fried banana with ice cream, mango with sticky rice and Sawadee Thai custard, are $4 to $7.95.

The particulars: Sawadee is open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The verdict: Say hello to Sawadee, whose wide-ranging menu will keep you coming back for more.